RATES
Two-party mediations – $125 per hour per party ($250 total per hour)
Three or more party mediations – $100 per hour per party
The mediator is entitled to compensation for all time spent on the matter, including but not limited to, preparation time, telephone conferences, attendance at the mediation conference, reporting, collection efforts (including but not limited to attorneys’ fees and costs), etc.
MINIMUM FEE
For half-day mediations, a minimum fee of 3 hours will be charged consisting of 2 hours for the conference and 1 hour for preparation and reporting. For full-day mediations, a minimum fee of 6 hours will be charged consisting of 4 hours for the conference and 2 hours for preparation and reporting.
TRAVEL
There is NO charge for travel time within Sarasota County. Other travel is charged at one-half the regular hourly rate unless other terms have been agreed upon in advance. If airline travel or an overnight stay is necessary to attend a mediation, then airfare, rental car, lodging and food will be billed at their actual cost.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Your mediation is important to us and once your mediation is scheduled, Gess Mediation will decline other engagements during your scheduled mediation. Accordingly, the following policies apply to all matters:
In the event of cancellation or rescheduling, Gess Mediation must receive email notice at least 5 business days before the scheduled mediation date, with the agreement of all parties noted. In that event, no cancellation fee will be charged. Without timely notice, there will be a 3 hour minimum charge to be divided and paid equally by each side’s counsel for a half-day mediation and 6 hour minimum charge to be divided and paid equally by each side for a full-day mediation.
Unless the parties agree, in writing, on who should pay the cancellation fee, the attorney for each side is responsible for their side’s equal share. In the event of a dispute as to who is responsible for the cancellation fee, each attorney shall be responsible for making timely payment of their side’s equal portion of the fee and, after making payment, shall have the right to file an appropriate motion with the court or arbitration tribunal to seek reimbursement from other parties.
PAYMENT
A detailed invoice will be sent via email or otherwise delivered to each attorney at the conclusion of the mediation session. Counsel are urged to bring a check to mediation so that the invoice may be paid at the conclusion of the session. If payment is not made at mediation, then each attorney will be responsible for payment within 15 calendar days of receipt of billing, including any cancellation fees. The attorneys representing parties in the matter, and their law firm if the attorney practices in a firm, will be billed and are responsible for timely payment of the mediation bill, not their clients.
If Gess Mediation determines, in its sole discretion, that an advance deposit is necessary, an advance deposit may be required from a party or its counsel. Failure to pay any required advance deposit by the deadline will result in cancellation of the Mediation Conference.
Additional billing policies may be set forth in the Mediation Confirmation and Fee Agreement delivered to the parties upon scheduling a mediation.